"It’s pretty hard for Britain’s friends, here in Australia, to make sense of the mess that’s being made of Brexit. The referendum result was perhaps the biggest-ever vote of confidence in the United Kingdom, its past and its future. But the British establishment doesn’t seem to share that confidence and instead looks desperate to cut a deal, even if that means staying under the rule of Brussels. Looking at this from abroad, it’s baffling: the country that did the most to bring democracy into the modern world might yet throw away the chance to take charge of its own destiny.

Let’s get one thing straight: a negotiation that you’re not prepared to walk away from is not a negotiation — it’s surrender. It’s all give and no get. When David Cameron tried to renegotiate Britain’s EU membership, he was sent packing because Brussels judged (rightly) that he’d never actually back leaving. And since then, Brussels has made no real concessions to Theresa May because it judges (rightly, it seems) that she’s desperate for whatever deal she can get.

The EU’s palpable desire to punish Britain for leaving vindicates the Brexit project. Its position, now, is that there’s only one ‘deal’ on offer, whereby the UK retains all of the burdens of EU membership but with no say in setting the rules. The EU seems to think that Britain will go along with this because it’s terrified of no deal. Or, to put it another way, terrified of the prospect of its own independence.

But even after two years of fearmongering and vacillation, it’s not too late for robust leadership to deliver the Brexit that people voted for. It’s time for Britain to announce what it will do if the EU can’t make an acceptable offer by March 29 next year — and how it would handle no deal. Freed from EU rules, Britain would automatically revert to world trade, using rules agreed by the World Trade Organization. It works pretty well for Australia. So why on earth would it not work just as well for the world’s fifth-largest economy?

A world trade Brexit lets Britain set its own rules. It can say, right now, that it will not impose any tariff or quota on European produce and would recognise all EU product standards. That means no border controls for goods coming from Europe to Britain. You don’t need to negotiate this: just do it. If Europe knows what’s in its own best interests, it would fully reciprocate in order to maintain entirely free trade and full mutual recognition of standards right across Europe.

Next, the UK should declare that Europeans already living here should have the right to remain permanently — and, of course, become British citizens if they wish. This should be a unilateral offer. Again, you don’t need a deal. You don’t need Michel Barnier’s permission. If Europe knows what’s best for itself, it would likewise allow Britons to stay where they are.

Third, there should continue to be free movement of people from Europe into Britain — but with a few conditions. Only for work, not welfare. And with a foreign worker’s tax on the employer, to make sure anyone coming in would not be displacing British workers.

Fourth, no ‘divorce bill’ whatsoever should be paid to Brussels. The UK government would assume the EU’s property and liabilities in Britain, and the EU would assume Britain’s share of these in Europe. If Britain was getting its fair share, these would balance out; and if Britain wasn’t getting its fair share, it’s the EU that should be paying Britain.

Finally, there’s no need on Britain’s part for a hard border with Ireland. Britain wouldn’t be imposing tariffs on European goods, so there’s no money to collect. The UK has exactly the same product standards as the Republic, so let’s not pretend you need to check for problems we all know don’t exist. Some changes may be needed but technology allows for smart borders: there was never any need for a Cold War-style Checkpoint Charlie. Irish citizens, of course, have the right to live and work in the UK in an agreement that long predates EU membership.

Of course, the EU might not like this British leap for independence. It might hit out with tariffs and impose burdens on Britain as it does on the US — but WTO rules put a cap on any retaliatory action. The worst it can get? We’re talking levies of an average 4 or 5 per cent. Which would be more than offset by a post-Brexit devaluation of the pound (which would have the added bonus of making British goods more competitive everywhere).

UK officialdom assumes that a deal is vital, which is why so little thought has been put into how Britain might just walk away. Instead, officials have concocted lurid scenarios featuring runs on the pound, gridlock at ports, grounded aircraft, hoarding of medicines and flights of investment. It’s been the pre-referendum Project Fear campaign on steroids. And let’s not forget how employment, investment and economic growth ticked up after the referendum.

As a former prime minister of Australia and a lifelong friend of your country, I would say this: Britain has nothing to lose except the shackles that the EU imposes on it. After the courage shown by its citizens in the referendum, it would be a tragedy if political leaders go wobbly now. Britain’s future has always been global, rather than just with Europe. Like so many of Britain’s admirers, I want to see this great country seize this chance and make the most of it."

Enjoyed the post, Keith!Oh! if only we had leaders with such common sense...Tony Abbott could show us how it’s done!Practical, no nonsense, approach - would certainly help put an end to ongoing quagmire of confusion that Britain has landed itself in!!How is it, that a straight talking (Aussie) can see a solution to Britain’s problems, when our leaders can’t seem to agree on anything whatsoever!Self-serving, manipulative, In-house fighting and backstabbing, being the order of the day - nothing being achieved!All we see, Theresa May (prime minister) running back and forth to Brussels, begging, pleading, humiliating herself and country (Please stop now Theresa) leave us with some dignity!!Don’t know what BBs abroad are making of all this, but, as things stand, more than half the country now want a second referendum, not sure how that would pan out, (bit like crawling back to a broken marriage) can’t see what good it would do!!Deal the P.M. came back with - unacceptable to majority of the country..She, (P.M) now wants the support of the country, (how the mighty have fallen) very hypocritical, Theresa May with right wing circle of elitists, deliberately excluded everybody from negotiations!!Following groups excluded for two years of Brexit negotiations; Opposition MPs - devolved parliaments - UK businesses leaders - trade unions - academics and experts - charities - civic society - and anyone else with a mouth. She also fought tooth and nail to sideline parliamentary democracy too!Brexit being purely in the Tory party interest!!!The elite little circle managed to achieve something though - first time in UK History for Contempt Of Parliament!!If only they could get something right....be it legal or in the interest of the country!!Quagmire continues; If Theresa should be removed, what are we left with - Boris Johnson - Jacob Rees-Mogg - Michael Gove!!

Ken Clarke (conservative) his opinion on following three;Boris Johnson = good for a laugh but couldn’t run a whelk stall!Jacob Rees-Mogg = behind the times, thinks Britain is a vassal state!!Michael Gove = more right wing than any right wing Tory. Ken Clarke (in an interview) said Michael Gove’s eyes light up at very mention of war, says M.G would like nothing more than three wars going on at once. (enough said)

Brexit options Second Referendum - accept this deal - no deal at all!

A sensible pre Brexit strategy from the start - would have saved all this time and confusion!!

Same repetitive rhetoric “This is the Brexit the country voted for” - - - NO IT ISN'T!!

Shelagh!

Last edited by Shelagh on Sun Dec 16, 2018 12:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

There is one way out of this terrible mess. If the U.K. were to declare war on the rest of the E.U. then all treaties and agreements would become null and void. The following week declare victory, the E.U. would then have to negotiate terms with the U.K. with Mrs May in the drivers seat.

Ken; No party preferences shown or referred to in previous post!Surprised that my post came across as prejudiced - Certainly not my intention to side with ANY party!

Don’t often post on political matters - find the more honest you try to be, the harder you make things for yourself!

Every word of my post, I believe to be true - wouldn’t print it otherwise..latter part of post, re; analogy of potential hapless characters (may or may not) take over the leadership..all names mentioned during BBC4 interview, given by Ken Clarke, only yesterday - can hardly accuse the BBC of being a left wing organisation!!

Also - never once implied that Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn or any other party had answers to Britain’s current dilemma!!Any sort of political agenda, would surely have suggested an election!!

If the previous post has caused offence, then I’m willing to offer an apology and edit the offending post!!

By the way, if I were to put confidence in any politician - would probably be Caroline Lucas (Green Party) only person, so far, to make any sense of it all!

Shelagh!

Last edited by Shelagh on Sun Dec 16, 2018 12:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

No need for apologies Shelagh.Interestingly only public comments today from Amber Rudd and Jo Johnson both Tory Remainers. Labour keeping a low profile, watching Tories implode and will likely press for a No Confidence vote in the next few weeks but they are nervous as they too are split.Personally I think something will happen and there will be a deal supported by elements of all parties. I have seen Ms Lucas speak, she is a class act but irrelevant on her own. K

I enjoyed your posting attributed to Tony Abbott and I found myself agreeing with all that was said. My only problem is that I find it hard to believe it was he who said it. For those who don't know of him he is known in Australia as the Mad Monk, he did study for the priesthood in his younger days. During his 2 year term as PM he made some strange and weird decisions and held some outlandish views, so bad that eventually he was dumped by his own party (who I happen to be a supported of.) One of the last decisions he made was to grant an Australian Knighthood to Prince Phillip ( yes we do have such things as Australian knights and Dames). Nevertheless the points made were, I think, entirely relevant.

I watched this speech on YouTube last night given by a Labour politician, Kate Hoey (hope the spelling is right) I had never heard of her before but I found my self agreeing with her pointshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS45-1CRtdM

Beardedpapa

Born in Walton Hospital, lived in Bala St and then Bowden St Litherland. Now in Brisbane Australia

No surprise to me re Abbott but he is very matey with BoJo (or should that be BoZo?) and who knows what's being cooked up. Tony Abbott is a very toxic person politics here in Australia would be better off without him IMO.

Now Tony Blair has put his oar in saying a second referendum could be needed.Mrs May has slapped him down saying it was outrageous that a former PM would try to undermine the People’s democratic vote to leave. He always was a Europhile.

I'm totally fed up with it all. The antics over the past two years, demonstrates just how little the politicians think of the electorate and just how little, some of the populace respect democratic referendums.

Listening to them all again today what is it they don't understand ? the majority voted OUT, no more we could do this.. we could do that...WE HAVE VOTED OUT now get behind our Prime Minister whether we voted for her or not and just get on with it..strewth . Government ha..they all could do with flying lessons from the end of Keiths foot I'm giving you the job Keith you are a big strong fella